The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-25
THE SO-CALLED COMPROMISE
Senator Campbell Writes Card in Ex-
PLANTATION and Defense Of Its Terms.
Further Expressions Of Opinion from the Peo-
pic By Means Of Letters and kilograms
Comments Of the Press Of the State.
A Card from Senator Campbell

my life aud publish card, If permitted to so,
in relation to the questions now exciting the pub
lilo mind by the so-called compromise between
the members of the two political parties in the
General Assembly, and ask the space without
consulting my political associates because hold
the position OF Senator entirely free from politl
cal obligations having been elected by Repub-
Iicans and Democrats without pledge. except to
serve if elected. On Jan. 10, 1887, the judge of
the Marion Circuit Court made the following
order:
1t is therefore ordered adjudged and decreed that
<he said Robert 8. Robertson, defendant in this
cause. be and he is hereby restrained and enoined
manner any Of the duties or functions Of the Pres
dent of the Senate of the State of Indiana and the
said Robert $. Robertson is restrained and enjoned
fpeciali from presiding attempting to preside
as President Of the Senate afore
said or rs presiding officer of the Senate aforesaid at
ressnatives Of the General Assembly of said State to
be holden at the capital of the State of Indiana the
leth day of January. 1887, next ensuing: And the
said defendant is so restrained and enioned above
herein until the further order of this court in this
cause
At a caucus Of Republicans, held on the even
Ing Of the 18th inst, the question of what course
Colonel Robertson should pursue was fully dis
dussed in view of the situation, and taking into
consideration the pending order of the Circuit
Court. from which an appeal had been taken to
Supreme Court. While the opinion was undi.
vided that the Circuit Court had no jurisdiction
to make the order, it WAS decided by nearly
unanimous vote that Governor Robertson should
obey II, to which he consented under protest,
stating that it was his desire to preside at the
Joint convention and that he would take all the
consequences, but he stated that he would
R s.,a! governed BY ,h the ADVICE Sis,. of his
tied, as l understood, that he should not
attempt to preside. On the morning of the 18th
some of us were informed that the Democrats
OF the Senate had resolved to accent the invita-
.tion previously extended by the House to the
Senate to attend the joint convention to be held
at the hall of the House. The only thing then
TO be done was TO arrange for an orderly meet
Ing The conference committee agreed that
Speaker Sayre, of the House, should preside.
position which by almost universal custom had
beAn accorded to the President of the Senate
certainly the Republicans lost nothing by that
part of the agreement. 1t was further
agreed that the order and control of the joint
Convention should remain absolutely under the
officers Of the House-the force of door-keepers
Ard employees Of the Senate. except principal
poorkeeper and Clerk, not to be even permitted
on the floor OF the House. 1t is difficult to
how the Republicans of the House surrendered
any right on thia account
The House had resolved not to recognize any
person as Lieutenant governor except Governor
Robertson. They are not required to break that
resolution by the terms of the compromise; they
have not, 10 fact, broken that resolution Sena-
tor Smith does not call the name of member
OF the House, nor is he necessarily recognized by
any member even President Of the Senate.
There is therefore, no surrender no humilia-
tton, on the part of the Republicans of the Gen
eral Assembly so far. On the foregoing points
every concession was made by the Democrats
1t vas stipulated that the roll of the two houses
should be called as it was then made up, which
Hs construed to mean that more contests
fhaiI be acted upon until after the election Of
ciple. but as practical question, it
makes no change in the status OF
the vote, for it was known
that the Democratic majority in the Senate had
determined 10 unseat a member every time a
member was unseated in the House, and to do SO
with no reason, except ia order to retalate.
believed, and yet believe. that the Republican
members Of the House would never decide con-
test against a Democrat, except upon good and
sufficient grounds, and have ample proof of wha,
the Democrats would do by the seating of Brana
man in place of Mcdonald and therefore. could
not see that the election of Republican
United States Senator would be helped OF
hindered by that part of the compromise
l have read many of the newspaper comments
upon the compromise, especially those in the
leading journals, to learn, II possible. wherein
mistake WAS made, or vote lost, or a principle
surrendered, with the intention or my part Of
contrasting the error, if satisfied one was com
mitted: but to the present time have received
no such information. Neither has anyone Of
how any other course would have resulted il
giving Harrison more yotes than he has received
1t seems to be assumed by the press that thu
Republican members of the General Assembi,
were required TO settle the question of tn,
validity of Governor Robertson's election by
Asst fight. We did not understand it. Posi-
bly,, il the election had been held on that issue,
the people might have elected some of the brav
men who now fighting the air SO valiantl.
with goose quilts.
The validity of the election is in dispute-it il
now in litigation. IL has been often stated tina
Republican lawyers of high standing take tn
position that the election was Invalid. 1t ma
yet be so decided by the Supreme Court of tn
State. In that what a ridiculous positio
would the Republicans occupy if they had bee
engaged in violent and revolutionary measure
to place him in his seat rs President of the Ser
ate. 1t is easy for persons to advise an
criticise who are not on the ground and no
charged with any. duty or responsibility
and especially when not informed a
to the condition Of affairs, and it
very difficult sometimes, in sudde
emergency. for those charged with grave dute
to know just what course is best to pursue. Fo
my own part am quite willing to confess an
error that may have been made, but so far non
has been pointed out which surrenders prime
pie or loses vote to Senator Harrison.
The Republicans resolved at the beginning {
this General Assembly to pursue an orderl
course, and to leave all revolutionary proceed
ings to the Democrats, which resolution.
think, they have well and wisely kept.
L, NJ. CAMPBELL.
What Hamilton County Republicans Thinl
To the Editor Of the Indianapolis Journal
The attempted justification by Senator Dire
ser, in his letter to the Lafayette Courier of II
surrender of the Republican members of IL
Legislature to Green Smith & Co., admits q
that could be said in condemnation of the actio
Mark his languages:
Much has been said about the famous conpromi
by which A. q. Smith permitted to call the Joi
convention to order. only have time to say tn
the arran cement was made in the interest of law a.
order and that no rights of any in the lea
compromised imported by the agreement
1t had been determined that Colonel Robertson
obedience the order of the court should atten
to preside at the joint convention, but that SPEAK
Sayre should. The only thing conceded to the Den
Gratis was that A. g. Smith should call the convent
TO order and should direct the call Of the roll of